2019 Global Champions League teams announced

The GCL teams on the starting grid for the 2019 season are announced today with top riders switching teams and new stars joining the fight for the coveted Championship.

After a busy off-season period of transfers some of the biggest names in show jumping are changing teams. And all GCL squads will this year field a roster of six riders - one more rider than last season - allowing more flexibility for tactical inter-changes making the most of team horse and rider power.

High profile movements include:

---> Prague Lions’ star striker Peder Fredricson has been signed by Shanghai Swans

Madrid In Motion, winners of the first-ever GCL Super Cup at the GC Prague Playoffs last year, will also keep the majority of their team with Maikel van der Vleuten, Eric van der Vleuten, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Michael G Duffy being joined by Mark McAuley and Cindy van der Straten.

Every team will field an U25 rider focusing on the development of talented youth at the top level of show jumping.

The team Championship will unfold across a unique variety of show jumping arenas worldwide, kicking off next week at the vast sand arena at AL SHAQAB in Doha, Qatar and travels across the globe with teams facing formidable tests on expansive grass arenas and tight and technical sand arenas.

Team strategy will be crucial with every point counting in the race for the 2019 title as the squads work out their plans to field the best possible combinations suited to the different venues during the season.